Empowering Teachers: The Influence of Transformational Leadership in Christian Schools

148 Pages·2011·0.57 MB·English

by  John Irungu Kirika

EMPOWERING TEACHERS: THE INFLUENCE OF TRANSFORMATIONAL
LEADERSHIP IN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

A Dissertation Presented to

The Faculty of the School of Education

Liberty University

In Partial Fulfillment

of the Requirements for the Degree

Doctor of Education

By

John Irungu Kirika

June, 2011
Empowering teachers: The Influence of Transformational Leadership in Christian
Schools
By John Irungu Kirika

APPROVED:
COMMITTEE CHAIR Tracey B. Pritchard, Ed.D

COMMITTEE MEMBERS Glenn R. Holzman, Ph.D

Charles K. Smith, Ph.D

CHAIR, GRADUATE STUDIES Scott B. Watson, Ph.D
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ABSTRACT
John Irungu Kirika. EMPOWERING TEACHERS: THE INFLUENCE OF
TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP IN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
(Under the direction of Dr. Tracey B. Pritchard). School of Education, June, 2011.
The object of this study was to investigate transformational leadership in Christian
schools. The study investigated the perception of empowerment of K-12 Christian school
teachers and its influence on organizational and professional commitment and job
satisfaction. It explored correlations between teacher empowerment and selected
demographic variables. The study also investigated how K-12 Christian school leaders
and teachers perceive teacher empowerment. A combination of causal comparative and a
correlational research method using a series of t-test, ANOVA, and multiple regression
statistics was used for parametric statistical analyses. The research findings were mixed.
While the study pointed to the prevalence of teacher empowerment in K-12 Christian
schools, teachers did not feel empowered in certain dimensions or subscales of teacher
empowerment.

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Dedication
I am proud to dedicate this dissertation to my family.
To my wife, Dr. Jane Njeri Irungu, in heartfelt appreciation of her unwavering
support and understanding during the arduous academic process.
To our three beloved children: Beth Lucy Wairimu Irungu, Polly Lucy Njoki
Irungu, and Matthew Kirika Irungu. My earnest prayer for you is that you will always
abide in Christ, who gives life in abundance.
To my parents: Jehosphat Kirika (deceased three years ago), and Lucy Wairimu
Kirika. In spite of having no formal education, they instilled in me the importance of
education. Thank you for teaching me the value of integrity, hard work, and sacrifice.
These were the pillars of your success.
To my parents-in-law, Joseph Ngigi Nyamu and Lucy Njoki, whose faith in
Christ, love, prayers, hard work, and sacrifices are treasures deeply appreciated.
Finally, to the battalion of dedicated teachers who inspired me and whom God
used to intellectually and spiritually mold me to become the person I am today, a person
dedicated to the cause of serving others for the good of humanity and ALL for the glory
of God.
v
Acknowledgements
The realization of a doctorate degree is the pinnacle of my academic pursuit. I
wholeheartedly acknowledge and appreciate the invaluable support that I have received
along the way. First and foremost, I thank my God for bestowing abundant grace and
mercies upon me. God’s provisions made this academic endeavor come to fruition.
I am deeply indebted to my doctoral dissertation committee consisting of Dr.
Tracey B. Pritchard, the chair, and members, Dr. Glenn Holzman and Dr. Charles K.
Smith, for their adept advisory support, academic guidance, and encouragement, which
made this endeavor become a noble reality. I am also grateful for the contribution
garnered from Dr. Darrin Graham, who was part of the team at some time in the process.
Dr. Tracey B. Pritchard, thank you for your superb devotion to scholarship and
the remarkable display of leadership acumen, diligence, and patience during the
strenuous but enlightening academic process.
May the good Lord richly reward and bless you all!

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Table of Contents

Dedication ...................................................................................................................................... iv
Acknowledgements ......................................................................................................................... v
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. vi
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ xi
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1
Background of the Study .................................................................................................... 1
Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 5
Purpose of the Study ............................................................................................. 6
Significance of the Study .................................................................................................... 6
Research Questions ............................................................................................................. 7
Statement of Hypotheses ....................................................................................... 8
Definitions......................................................................................................................... 12
Summary of the Study ...................................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ......................................................................... 15
The Phenomenon of Leadership: An Introduction............................................................ 15
Theoretical Framework of the Study ................................................................................ 15
Transformational Leadership .............................................................................. 17
Transformational Leadership and Empowerment in Educational Setting ........................ 20
Organizational and Personal Outcomes ............................................................................ 21
Organizational Commitment ............................................................................... 22
Professional Commitment ................................................................................... 22
Job Satisfaction ................................................................................................... 22
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The Construct of Empowerment ......................................................................... 23
An Overview of Power and Empowerment in Schools .................................................... 23
Transformational Leadership and Teacher Empowerment in Christian Schools ............. 25
Leadership: A Christian Perspective ..................................................................................27
Visionary Christian Leadership .........................................................................................29
Leadership and Teacher Empowerment in General School Context ................................ 31
Further Delineation of Empowerment in Corporate and Educational Settings ................ 32
Benefits of Teacher Empowerment .................................................................................. 33
Inner Leadership Qualities ................................................................................................ 40
The Need for Organizational Commitment ...................................................................... 42
The Need for Professional Commitment (Job Involvement) ............................................ 43
The Need for Job Satisfaction ........................................................................................... 44
Leadership and Power ....................................................................................................... 45
Negative Principal Practices ............................................................................................. 46
Chapter Summary ............................................................................................................. 48
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................... 49
Introduction ........................................................................................................................49
Restatement of Research Questions .................................................................................. 49
Restatement of Hypotheses ............................................................................................... 50
Research Design.................................................................................................................54
Participants .........................................................................................................................57
Settings .............................................................................................................................. 58
Research Instruments ........................................................................................................ 58
viii
Instrument Reliability ........................................................................................................62
Data Analysis .................................................................................................................... 63
Procedure .......................................................................................................................... 65
Data Collection Process .................................................................................................... 66
Data Preparation................................................................................................................ 68
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ..................................................................................................... 69
Demographic Profile of the Population ............................................................................ 69
Educational Attainment ...................................................................................... 69
Years of Service in School Setting ..................................................................... 70
Gender ..................................................................................................................71
Size of School ......................................................................................................71
Research Questions and Hypotheses Testing ................................................................... 72
Research Question 1 ........................................................................................... 72
Research Question 2 ........................................................................................... 75
Research Question 3 ........................................................................................... 79
Research Question 4 ........................................................................................... 80
Research Question 5 ........................................................................................... 84
Summary of Research Results ............................................................................ 85
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS AND IMPLICATIONS ................................ 87
Discussion of Research Findings ...................................................................................... 87
Hypothesis 1........................................................................................................ 87
Hypothesis 2........................................................................................................ 90
Hypothesis 3........................................................................................................ 92
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Hypothesis 4........................................................................................................ 93
Hypothesis 5........................................................................................................ 95
Implications of the Study .................................................................................................. 96
Other Incidental Findings ................................................................................... 97
Limitattions of the Study .................................................................................................. 98
Summary of the Findings .................................................................................................100
Recommendations for Future Research ...........................................................................103
REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................104
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................ 119
Appendix A-School Participant Empowerment Scale (SPES) ....................................... 119
Appendix B- Organizational Commitment Questionnaire (OCQ) ................................. 122
Appendix C- Bolin's (1989) Teacher Empowerment Scale ............................................ 124
Appendix D- Job Involvemet Questionnaire (JIQ) ......................................................... 125
Appendix E- Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire- Job
Satisfaction Subscale (MOAQ-JSS)/ Overall Job Satisfaction .....................................127
Appendix F-Demographics Questionnaire ..................................................................... 128
Appendix G- Invitation and Informed Consent ...............................................................129
Appendix H- Permission to Use School Participant Empowerment Scale (SPES) .........131
Appendix I.- Permission to Use Organizational Commitment Questionnaire
(OCQ) ..............................................................................................................................133
Appendix J- Liberty University Internal Review Board (IRB) Research Approval ........135
Appendix K- Request to Participate in Dissertation Research Email ..............................137

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List of Tables

Table 1: Reliability of Instruments ................................................................................... 63
Table 2:Highest Level of Education ................................................................................. 70
Table 3: Participants’ Years of Service in School Setting ................................................ 71
Table 4: Size of School Based on Total Student Enrollment ........................................... 72
Table 5: Descriptive Statistics for the School Participant Empowerment Scale ............. 73
Table 6: Zero-Order Correlations .................................................................................... 78
Table 7: Regression Coefficients for Teacher Empowerment/Demographics ............... 80
Table 8: Summary of Results ......................................................................................... 85
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